Sailor rescued after yacht gets into difficulty off the Mayo coast

Ballyglass RNLI came to the aid of a lone sailor last night, Wednesday, January 17 after their yacht got into difficulty in the North Atlantic sea.

The all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch by Malin Head Coast Guard to assist a sailor on a nine-metre yacht which had sustained rigging damage five miles off the north Mayo coast.

The Erris-based volunteer crew received the alert at 5.25pm and the lifeboat was underway shortly after making its way to the sailor and their vessel some 17 nautical miles north-east of Ballyglass and five miles north of the Céide fields in Mayo.

When the Ballyglass lifeboat with five crew onboard arrived on scene, a 60m fish carrier was standing off providing shelter for the casualty vessel. Their crew along with the Sligo based Irish Coast Guard helicopter crew from Rescue 118, provided illumination of the scene. Having assessed the situation, and observing that the sailor was safe and well, a decision was made to establish a tow line with the illumination assisting the lifeboat crew in setting up the tow with the vessel.

The lifeboat proceeded to tow the yacht to the nearest safe port at Ballyglass pier. Approximately three miles from Ballyglass pier, the tow parted from the yacht’s end but was soon safely re-established and the lifeboat and yacht continued to their destination. There, the lifeboat crew were met by Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit who assisted in securing the casualty alongside.

Speaking following the call out, Ballyglass RNLI Coxswain James Mangan said: “We were pleased with the safe return of all and we would like to wish the sailor well and commend and thank our colleagues from Rescue 118 and Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit and the crew of the fish carrier for their assistance.”

Crew on this call out included Coxswain James Mangan, mechanic Allen Murray, navigator Matthew Togher and crew members Paudge Kelleher and Stephen Togher.